Beach's vault is six seconds, her bar routine around thirty-six. Beam, is about a minute. Floor, around a minute thirty-six.
Skills fade.
Titles are forgotten.
But what remains for a lifetime are the lessons.
Gymnastics is not about not falling. It's about how to get back up and keep going.
It's not about beating someone else. It's about winning with yourself.
It's not about being perfect or the best. It's about setting high goals and working to achieve them. It's about bravery and leadership, good sportsmanship and responsibility.
It's not about the medals or scores.
It's about becoming someone you are proud to be.
Gymnastics isn't simply a sport, done right, with the right coaches, it is the training ground for success for the rest of their lives.
Beach is without question amazing, but she is also deeply privileged to have you as a parent Misty.
ReplyDeleteGymnastics is all of things you describe above, but gymnastics has another side, which everyone who has been part of it has seen.
Gymnastics is an ugly sport where others see your failures as stepping stones to their success. It can be full of bitchiness and backstabbing.
It can foster jealousy, resentment and hatred, and I have seen my fair share of all three this season.
And when I stopped to listen to the bitter words coming out of the mouth of a 10 year old child I had a realization. Later I bumped into her mother who was happy to share her opinions with me (bad judges, bad sportsmanship, unfair advantages, etc).
And I had a revelation - the gymnasts take away the lessons that their parents show them - not teach them, but show them. If you show kindness to others, compassion and understanding, that is what your child will carry into the gym, and on-wards into their lives. If you show bitterness, anger and hatred, that is what you teach your daughter to feel.
Beach is amazing, but much of that came from the examples that have been set for her from the start.
You should be proud of both the person she is, and the person you are.
You are so kind! And you are right about the other side of gymnastics. I see it almost everyday. One has to decide which side of history they want to be on. How do I want my children to remember me? You word it so perfectly about our role/impact as parents. "If you show kindness to others, compassion and understanding, that is what your child will carry into the gym, and on-wards into their lives. If you show bitterness, anger and hatred, that is what you teach your daughter to feel.
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